My Year in Reading – 2015

This year I finally met my goal on how many books I would read for the year. Ever since I’ve been participating in the GoodReads challenge I’ve never quite gotten there so I’m glad I just made it through this year (finishing my last book to meet the goal earlier this week).

Book stats of 2015

You can see what books I read here. I received a Kindle from Jarrod for Christmas so maybe I can increase the number for next year!

Tara did a post on her blog about the books she read this year and I liked the questions so I am also going to answer them below.

Best Book of 2015

This wasn’t a first time read for me and it probably won’t be the best book you read all year but it is the book I enjoyed the most. It holds some nostalgia for me as I used to own the book many years ago and it was the victim of an unfortunate knocked over cup of coke incident, of which it never recovered.

After that I made many futile attempts to buy another copy but alas, it was out of print. I found it (and bought it) earlier in the year from Abe Books and it never arrived (but I didn’t expect much given I only paid about $4 for it) and then I found it at FishPond and that time it DID arrive! I was pretty excited to read it again.

So, after much babbling, the book in question is Frankie Says Relapse which is about a woman who is unhappily married and feels lonely in her life and finds an old journal from when she was 15 in the 80’s and gets somewhat lost in the life she used to have. I really like the style in books of changing perspectives or characters through use of journals or letters so this is a definite winner for me. Plus it was just a great story, if a little (just a tiny bit) chick lit-ish, but mostly I would consider it a YA novel.

Worst Book of 2015

I don’t know if I’d call this the ‘worst book’, just the least enjoyable.. granted I didn’t even finish my least favourite book. If I’m honest, I’d tell you I only got through 24 pages and put it down in disappointment because I thought it would be great but the reviews said otherwise.

After Alice by Gregory Maguire (of Wicked fame) is about another perspective of Alice in Wonderland. As someone who really enjoys the original I thought I’d get really into this but it was just really boring. I know I probably didn’t give it enough of a chance but with the flowery style of writing and the 2.8/5.0 rating on GoodReads I decided to move onto something else.

Most Disappointing Book of 2015

Most disappointing book was definitely Peter and Wendy which was quite surprising. Everyone talks about this classic book and it has obviously stood the test of time but really I found it so very dull. It was the shortest book I read this year but it took me 3 weeks to read because I just couldn’t make myself read more than a few pages at a time. I just don’t understand how this book has been the inspiration for so many better and more entertaining adaptations.

Overall, I just felt sad for Wendy because she was manipulated to go to Neverland with a selfish little boy so she could be the Mum to the Lost Boys and stay in their tree house all day mending socks. How exciting!

Most Surprising (in a good way) Book of 2015

I suppose this would go to Daughter of the Territory but mostly because I didn’t expect very much from it. I received a free copy of the book as a Good Reads First Reads and it sat waiting for me to read it for about 6 months. It was actually quite fascinating to think someone who had experienced the hostile and isolated world of the Northern Territory in the 40’s is still alive.. I know that sounds weird but reading the book makes it feel like it was another world entirely.

If you’re interested in reading about the harsh realities of the Australian outback from the 1930’s until today this might be an interesting read for you.

Book You Recommended to People Most in 2015

I’m not sure I really recommended anything, other than telling everyone to buy Poorly Drawn Lines (I suppose that is recommending) because, Poorly Drawn Lines – which you should definitely check out if you haven’t heard of it. It’s an online comic which, at the best of times, is quite bizarre and hilarious. This year the creator released a book and I eagerly anticipated its release.

Best Series You Discovered in 2015

I don’t think I read any series in 2015 so I guess the answer is none.

Favourite New Authors You Discovered in 2015

I don’t think any authors particularly stuck out for me this year. I didn’t have that feeling where I needed to read everything they have ever written right now! I enjoyed the books I read but that was mostly where it ended.

Most Hilarious Read of 2015

Another win for Poorly Drawn Lines because of it’s “so weird it’s funny” content although, that being said the book is less funny than the comics that are up on the website. They’re still good, just not as good. There is also little intro story’s to each section which are usually quite odd.

Most Thrilling, Unputdownable Book in 2015

I can’t recall any books I read this year giving me that feeling of having to finish it RIGHT NOW! As mentioned above, I enjoyed them all for what they were but nothing to the point where I stayed up all night just to finish it.

Book You Most Anticipated in 2015

Favourite Cover of a Book You Read in 2015

I didn’t really read too many books because of their covers. For the most part I either read ebooks or borrowed books from the library based on their descriptions, before I had even seen the cover but I did like the look of Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp. It’s nothing flashy, I just think it is pretty:

Most Memorable Character in 2015

I’m actually drawing a blank here.. That’s not really what you want when thinking of memorable characters. I would say Small Cat from Poorly Drawn Lines but I’m not sure he counts.. and mostly he’s just a jerk.

Stop misbehaving Small Cat!

Most Beautifully Written Book in 2015

Hmm, this is a tough one. I’d probably say The Magic of Reality but not so much for the words themselves but how beautiful the book looks and the placement of the words.

Book That Had the Greatest Impact on You in 2015

Unfortunately, I don’t think I read any books this year where I thought “This is a book I’m going to remember forever” and went out and bought a copy for myself. Maybe 2016 will turn this around.

Book You Can’t Believe You Waited Until 2015 to Finally Read

Probably Peter and Wendy, it’s so short and such a classic that I’m surprised I didn’t read it sooner. Too bad it didn’t meet my expectations.

I haven’t read neither After Alice nor Peter and Wendy, but now I know I probably haven’t missed out. Too bad since they both sound like they should be interesting.
And thanks for recommending Poorly Drawn Lines! I checked it out and love how random and weird it is, will definitely start following it :D

Congratulations on meeting your goal with the challenge! :D I am sure with the new Kindle you will read a lot more. I found that I did when I got my first iPad. I was anti-ebooks for a long time until I got one and actually started reading them.